The Ontario government has been hit with a billion-dollar class action over claims staffing-related lockdowns in provincial correctional facilities have led to significant constitutional breaches.

Jonathan Ptak, Koskie Minsky LLPJustice Benjamin Glustein of the Superior Court of Justice certified the action in Lapple v. Ontario Nov. 27. The suit arises out of staffing-related lockdowns at Ontario correctional facilities, operated by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

A staffing-related lockdown occurs when prisoners are locked in their cells due to shortages in prison staff. Jonathan...